Past Present

I'd have to go back to Scofield's 'Enja Period' to find as consistently rich, song-form blowing as on 'Past Present'. It's great hearing him dig in so much in what, I think, is his most comfortable, 'home-base' setting: the trio + sax. The recorded guitar tone is gorgeous - upfront and warm, with plenty of 'amp' and plenty of percussive undertone (pick feel) that I haven't enjoyed so much since the 'Works For Me' record. Scofield likes to feel some string resistance and tends to pick closer to the bridge, which gives his legato phrasing clarity and definition. There's nothing flabby or 'glissy/ghosty' about his playing - the notes speak, picked or slurred.Scofield remains a underrated jazz composer with as pure a melodic sense as you'll come across in any genre. He's that uncommon guitarist whose tunes rarely descend into guitar-cliches. Double-stops may evoke harmonic stabs and bent notes vocal and horn expression, but it never feels like it's about the guitar, always about the music and the interaction of the musicians. A deceptively complex sense of form and harmony make his tunes great fun (and educational) to study and play.With so much writing under his belt it's natural to hear echoes of tunes-past on 'Past Present'. But if like me you're as much a fan of his writing as his playing, you won't mind at all.Sad to read about his son's passing in the notes (I'm pretty sure I stood next to the young man at a gig in upstate NY several years back attended by Scofield's parents as well). It's a very poignant gesture to use his son's words to name the project and tunes.Scofield can be such a musical chameleon - and he rarely disappoints - but I hope he sticks around for awhile in this particular incarnation. I go back to his days with Galper and the trio with Swallow and Nussbaum. And I think, without a doubt, 'Past Present' is as good as anything he's done.

John Scofield and Joe Lovano have always had a special chemistry. Between the three albums recorded in the nineties and Scolohofo from ten years later, a new recording always holds great promise. This one delivers on that promise. The two of them weave lines in and around each other effortlessly. The songs are simpler this time around with a touch of groove that reflect Scofield's work in that area over the last twenty years. One other review talks about Scofield "missing notes?". I don't know too many guitarists who can "miss notes" this elegantly and creatively as Sco does. Highly recommended.

Scofield has been jammin' like this for a long time. More people should take the time, sit down and listen to this CAT!!!

John Scofield continues to excel. Great record from one of the leading jazz guitarists to ever grace the music.

The music has touched me in a very deep way. I have played it at home and now is in my car. It seems that the music transports me to another dimension. It's not easy to describe sensations with words. It loses something in the translation

One of Scofield's best albums.

Attended the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May saw John Scofield with Joe Lovano. Am very pleased with this disc.

Great Scofield disc.